A Burgaw bypass? Increased traffic sparks talk of a once-forgotten project

More than 15 years have passed since Burgaw officials began working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to construct a bypass around the town.

But after a few years, the project fell by the wayside. What’s happening with the proposal now? Here’s what we know.

Town officials were working with NCDOT.

Talk of a Burgaw Bypass first gained support in the mid- to late-1990s due to the amount of truck traffic passing through the town, a route that includes stop signs, traffic lights, and right turns that are difficult for large 18-wheelers.

In 2005, NCDOT officials estimated that if no bypass was constructed more than 1,000 trucks would snake through Burgaw’s downtown area by 2030. At the time, they predicted a bypass could reduce that number by at least 400.

Both NCDOT and Burgaw officials selected a route.

After years of discussion, the NCDOT presented four proposed routes to the public in 2005. A StarNews article from Aug. 5, 2005, with the headline “Burgaw Bypass Selected” noted while residents and Burgaw officials favored one of the four routes, it was eliminated by NCDOT due to cost and wetlands.

Staff with NCDOT selected a different route, one that was significantly less expensive. Both options displaced residents and disturbed wetlands. According to the 2005 article, the route residents favored would disturb 11 homes and impact more than 20 acres of wetlands, and the route favored by NCDOT officials would disturb seven homes and impact two acres of wetlands.

Eventually a route was selected, but in 2007, NCDOT discussed moving from the original route, which would require building over Burgaw Creek, and opting to take the loop from east of N.C. 53 to the intersection of N.C. 53 and Stag Road.

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Over time, the project stalled.

According to NCDOT spokeswoman Lauren Haviland, staff was not aware of plans for a bypass in Burgaw. In an email, she noted sometimes changes to projects are necessary.

“Some projects, once identified, may not meet criteria to move forward or may no longer be needed based on other adjustments to the transportation network,” she said in an email.

The Burgaw Bypass was listed on the Cape Fear Rural Transportation Planning Organization’s project list but was not submitted for scoring in 2020. The listed project proposes constructing a two-lane bypass from State Road 1508 west of I-40 to Malpass Corner Road. However, it states the project was not submitted because the town did not support it.

But that could be changing. According to Burgaw Mayor Olivia Dawson, the project hasn’t been at the top of the Board of Commissioners’ priority list. But she noted in recent weeks, talk about the project has started to pick up, including at a candidates' forum.

“I think it’s great that we’re bringing it back up,” Dawson said.

She said most agree it is needed to alleviate the amount of truck traffic coming through town.

“It affects our residents, it affects our businesses, and it affects the character of our town,” Dawson said.

Emmaline Kozak, owner and operator of Burgaw Brewing, agreed the increased traffic is an issue.

"A bypass would definitely help alleviate some of the truck traffic going through Burgaw," Kozak said in an email. "These large trucks are not providing business to the downtown area. Rerouting trucks away from downtown would also make our roadways much safer for pedestrians and other motorists."

Kozak said she was not concerned about the proposed bypass affecting businesses downtown, noting those who visit downtown Burgaw are there to conduct business at the courthouse or shop.

Dawson said she would be willing to start the conversation with NCDOT to bring that project back to the forefront, however, she noted she didn’t want the project to take precedence over other needed projects and added the town is “at the mercy” of NCDOT.

“We really want to work with NCDOT to get those projects done,” she said.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What happened to the Burgaw Bypass